Red Bull’s New York Offices by INABA

Best known for its high-energy drink, Red Bull wanted its New York offices to be low-key. The 16,800 sqsf project doesn’t celebrate the company’s values with eye-catching forms, nor is its layout inspired by recent theories of workplace productivity. Instead, the INABA project is simple and without the pretense of being on the cutting edge of cool tech office design. It responds to the quick cycling of trends in workplace interiors by steering clear of large-scale gestures, playful lounge zones, or urban-inspired ad hoc décor.

If the new standard for corporate offices is to create a physical experience that builds on the brand qualities the company has successfully established in digital media, then Red Bull’s New York space is the antithesis of this best practice. There isn’t a reliance on storytelling or graphic imagery; the space is dialed back to reset the focus of the experience on the basic architectural qualities of scale and light.

Acknowledging that offices and technology are evolving quickly and the future functions of the work environment are unpredictable, the architects composed a layout of spaces with distinct, fixed features. The three types of spaces are large open zones, medium-sized enclosed areas, and small rooms. They are used now as open office seating, conference areas, and small meeting/workrooms, respectively. Designed to be unique in size and day lighting and not to any particular functions invites people to invent new uses for them in the future.

To emphasize these elements of the project, INABA worked with the photographer Naho Kubota who shot the space using film. The images in this series include closely framed views that describe the sense of proportions and natural light in the spaces. Other photos by Kubota and Greg Irikura document the color of surfaces, materials, and furniture.

Aesop’s first store in Bath, UK, designed in collaboration with JamesPlumb, is an homage to the city’s materiality, ...

Copyrights Info

All material published remains the exclusive copyright of urdesignmag. No contents, including text, photographs, videos, etc. may be reproduced in whole or in part without the written consent of urdesignmag. In addition, no material or contents may be reproduced on the world wide web by techniques of mirroring, framing, posting, etc. without the written consent of urdesignmag.

about us

urdesignmag is a daily updated web magazine that features captivating news from the creative world, covering spheres such as design, architecture, art, technology and fashion.